The little train that shouldn’t

Our opinion: Advocates of both rails and trails make their cases in the Adirondacks. For the long haul, a trail means more people, more money and other intangible benefits.

We like trains — in the right places. By that, we mean places where more than a few people are likely to ride them. But a passenger train in the middle of the Adirondacks? That has all the feel of a track to nowhere.

For all the emotional attachment many people have to trains, a push to spend tens of millions of dollars restoring an old rail line between Lake Placid and Utica just doesn’t make sense. It’s especially wasteful when there’s an alternative that would cost far less, be enjoyed by far more people, and bring far more badly needed tourist dollars to the Adirondacks: turning the rail line into a multi-use trail.

The target of this debate is a 90-mile section of the line running from Lake Placid to Old Forge. The nonprofit Adirondack Railway Preservation Society for two decades has had a $1-a-year state permit to run tourist trains for 141 miles between Lake Placid and Utica. But about 80 miles of the track needs major work, so it’s time to look at what the best use of the land might be.

After three studies over the last two years, one on the rail line, one on the rail trail, and one on both, all the numbers indicate that the trail is the smarter choice.

Estimates of the cost of to fix up the tracks in order to be able to safely run a tourist train on them run from $16.5 million to $43 million, while the maximum cost to tear up the tracks and create a trail was pegged at $5.3 million at most.

Advocates of rail say it could be paid for with state and federal funds — an uncertain proposition these days; trail boosters say they could cover the cost of that project without taxpayer dollars, largely by selling the rails and ties for salvage.

As for usage, the trail wins again. Rail is projected to bring perhaps 7,000 to 8,000 tourists annually, while a trail could attract anywhere from 43,000 to 240,000 visiting snowmobilers, bikers and hikers a year, in addition to thousands of local residents who would likely use it. Even at the low end, the trail is undoubtedly the smarter long-term choice from an economic development point of view.

That’s a big potential difference in money coming into the area. Estimates are that rail would bring in about $686,000 annually from people spending money on lodging and food, while the many more trail users would spend close to $20 million.

Trail supporters also note that there is enough room in the nine-mile stretch between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake to maintain a tourist rail line but add a trail as well, which could only enhance Lake Placid’s Olympic training facilities, in particular for runners.

Given the overwhelming advantage of a trail it’s clearly the better choice for residents in the Adirondacks, flashy as a shiny tourist train would be. The far less costly trail can be developed now, not in some distant time to come when more public funds are available. And with the obviously healthier, outdoor activities that a trail promotes, it’s clearly more in keeping with the very nature of the Adirondack preserve.

Oh, and one more thing: Choose the trail option, and New York won’t be known for a multimillion dollar rail to nowhere. That’s something any politician can understand.

Thanks for the great editorial. It is great to see that someone can see the real benefit to the Real Adirondack People. The actual ones who “Live, Work and Play” here as well as the the people of the State of NY.
FYI – there are many disabled people who will benefit greatly by having a level, packed, trail to use for their own recreational pursuits.

Okay, 5.3 million which won’t be taxpayer provided. How much will it cost for UPKEEP for this long trail? Snowmobiles can do a lot of damage. Sanitation upkeep as well, because sadly there are people that will litter. Doesn’t sound like your study is complete. And why a 27 million dollar difference? That couldn’t be narrowed down a little better?

Like #2, I do believe the best solution would embrace both uses of the right of way. Why not allow both able bodied and leisure tourists and leaf peepers to use the trail? The only reason a non train solution seems less expensive is because of the possible/probable sale of the steel rails and other equipment the state owns. I would love to sit back and ride the train, as I have in North Creek. And I also would like to use the trail for snowmobiling, and the businesses would love to have the boost in winter tourism.

“…a track to nowhere” ?! Inserting this snarky reference into your initial & final paragraphs ‘sniffs’ of the faux rage of one Sarah Palin in 2008 about $233 million literally for a bridge to nowhere (an island w/ 50 FT residents) in wilderness Alaska. Coincidence?

The thousands of Lake Placid / Saranac Lake / Tupper Lake year round & PT residents I’m SURE don’t see the 2X site of the Winter Olympics and 1980 Miracle on Ice as ‘nowhere’. ORDA & Franklin & Essex County regional tourism might have a different view too.

A ‘template’ for sustainable re-development of the ASR rail line exist on the other side of the ADKs in the Saratoga & North Creek RR, now run by Iowa Pacific bringing hundreds of tourist week to North Creek / Gore Mtn AND reviving the freight prospects of the line by extending a rail upgrade to Newcomb and removing the ore tailings for processing.

Additionally, 21st century ‘template’ exists virtually everywhere in the US where Fiber Optic companies have used rail lines to extend the reach of bandwidth to areas either under-served, or not served at all.

Lastly, the effort I’ve been shepherding for the last 30 months, transforming the Adirondacks by encouraging the craft brewers & distillers to second site, relocate, or start and grow in the Dacks to access the super abundant, pure, soft, forever-wild waters can/will ‘tap’ into rail access to leave their car in Utica, Montreal, Saratoga, or NYC etc and discover the ADK Rail Beer Trail for a day, weekend, or week or two. Think Bavarian/Bohemian Europe w/o needing a) a passport or b) a translator fluent in French, Czech, & German.

Na zdravi!

Combined all this w/ easy access by outdoor enthusiasts along the ASR to pickup an drop off points along the route for kayaking, paddle boarding, cross country skiing, snow-showing, hikers and mountain bicycling enabled by cell phone app access to train times and signaling for a pickup and you’ve now have a solid case for RAIL AND TRAIL v the very short sited notion you’re supporting for just tearing up the last rail route into the ADKs.

The interior of America’s Most Accessible Wilderness will just be that much more ‘accessible’ AND usable and w/ new fiber loops and emerging ‘white space’ UHF band wireless (under FCC authorized testing in Thurman right now by Rainmaker Network Services) so… stay ‘tuned’

All us folks in the middle of ‘nowhere’ are working the problem, rather than throwing ‘snark’ stones from the sidelines in Albany.

Physical limitations and mobility impaired people are much more likely to use a flat trail then a train. If you have ever been on a rail trail the user groups range from age 1 to 100 with varying abilities and many handicapped in wheelchairs. As we all know you can’t have both a trail and rail. It’s 80 miles of wetland and since we can’t afford to put 43 million to to a train much less 80 million for a trail next to it. And of course why would we when the Adirondack Scenic Railroad is insolvent staying afloat through back door taxpayer dollars. Look up their tax returns online.

An excellent summary of the issue that makes a great case against spending any more taxpayer dollars just to increase visitation by 7-8,000 when a trail would draw at least 40,000 more visitors. I would also note that the Town Boar of the Town of North Elba last week passed a resolution requesting the removal of the tracks in that town. Their reasoning was that the tourist railroad did not help the economy and that it would be far cheaper to build the proposed trail in the Corridor from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake if the tracks were not there.

Happy Wanderer, I guess it’s wonderful that you would buy a ticket, but the train running now from Utica to Old Forge sucks up all kinds of taxpayer dollars now because not enough tickets are sold. Why would we pay to first fix the rest of the tracks to Lake Placid, and then continue to subsidize an even longer section of rail? Rip the tracks out and let’s make this trail a reality.

I wish people would do their own research before they make ill informed comments. If the train was so great why is it failing? And don’t say because it does not come from Utica. Who wants to ride a 6 hour train from Utica and get stuck without a car? Sure, buy a trolly to cart people to a hotel. Then what? It just doesn’t make sense and the numbers the train hobbyists churned up don’t add up either. Then of course is the money to repair the tracks. Add a trail next to the tracks? Not going to happen – do your research and figure it out for yourselves. Besides, have you seen those trains? Thread bare cattle cars and they don’t have money to fix them either.

Rail with trails sure sounds like a good idea, but those suggesting “let’s have both!” aren’t the least bit familiar with the corridor. It simply is not wide enough to support both of these options – let along the immense hurdle of permitting to add the trail in ecologically sensitive areas immediately adjacent to the ROW. Rail corridors have functional infrastructure like bridges, culverts, and drainage basins that would have to be widened, moved, and expanded. The idea of rail with trail simply doesn’t work.

The Tourist Train has failed to attract the economic activity, jobs, and visitors to the areas it serves. It’s been the beneficiary of significant public subsidy with little dividend. Further it is a private use on a public corridor. Taxpayers own and pay for the tracks to be kept up and maintained, but have limited access to their benefit. We’re paying for a resource we rarely use and rarely benefit from.

Long distance multi-use trails have well documented economic impacts that are easy to find (you can use Google, it’s ok). There have been several studies on this very corridor that have highlighted the additional job and economy boost the the trail would bring.

Snowmobiles can coexist quite well on this trail – just as they have with the several trails across NY – including the Erie Canalway Trail. Clubs have an excellent track record of keeping trails open, clear, and clean. And their dedication to their sport yields great dividends in partnerships with other trail user groups.

Finally, I’d urge those on the fence about the benefits of trails to go out and visit one. Here are a few local examples: The Warren County Bikeway, the Zim Smith Trail, the Champlain Canalway Trail, the Erie Canalway Trail, and the D&H Rail Trail in Granville. These trails have played a significant role in bolstering local economies by generating net new visitor spending and helping community members lead healthier, more active lives. This too carries an economic benefit as NYS taxpayers are saddled with nearly a $10 billion burden for costs associated with obesity-related diseases.

While there are possibilities for anything, practicality should be considered. The train from Utica to Old Forge runs fewer trains every year, my guess is that, even though every rider is now counted again as they get off and on for any reason, the riders are fewer. Back in the 50’s and early 60’s the train was OK to take people from town to Utica to “sign up” for unemployment, but as Snowmobiling grew in the 60’s, the need was gone.
The Tracks really only allow one activity but the Recreational Trail will allow promotable activities in every season. All studies, to one degree or another, even those done before 1996 ( the Unit Management Plan start) show that a Trail will be more beneficial to the economics of the Adirondacks. Leave the Train from Utica to Old Forge if the State finds it worthwhile, but remove the rail to Lake Placid. It is time to start a new adventure in the Adirondacks!

As a “rails to trails” bicycle rider, I would not want to share a trail with a railroad. The ones we have been on, that go next to an active railroad, employ fences and screening to separate the two. Anything else would not be safe, and probably not legal. If the tracks were taken up, and a trail estblished, using the salvage value of the tracks would keep the cost down, and it could be done in the near future. My husband and I recently spent money for accommodations and meals in many towns along the Erie Canal Trail. The trail is a destination for bicycle riders from all over the country. As Adirondack residents, we know there is no more beautiful place to ride, and as senior citizens, we are looking for a flat, safe place for this activity. There are many like us.

NO…I want to keep the tracks and improve them to Saranac Lake.
How else can you see all the wild country and mountians of the
NORTH COUNTRY…Please up grade and keep all the track in that
area…Its worth saving. davidkustyn

Here in Northern California we have many trails that have been made by tearing up old rail lines. And thus we lost our local transit options: cars, or a bus that uses the same lanes as cars. We look sadly at the train lines that were, so lightly used by joggers and bicyclists.

There are lots of options for running and bicycling trails. Hold on to your train. Cherish it. Once you let it go, it’s gone forever.